Jan 01, Katunayake: Once bankrupted state owned Sri Lankan budget airline, Mihin Lanka recommenced its commercial flights this evening.

The airline resumed operations flying from Bandaranaike International Airport this evening to its destination, Dubai with a Boeing 737-800 single class 186 seater aircraft.

This new aircraft had arrived in Katunayake on Saturday night from France with the Mihin logo, Civil Aviation Ministry said.

According to the Ministry the new aircraft was used in France for less than six months.

Mihin Lanka is to operate flights to Trichi and Trivandrum in India from the second week of January and to the sacred city of Buddha Gaya from February 15.

The low cost government funded enterprise went bankrupt last year due to the mismanagement at the helms. The airline launched in April 2007 has reportedly incurred a loss of about $30 million.

Sri Lankan government has allocated Rs. 6 billion in this year’s budget to recommence Mihin Lanka operations.